Slayer Announces Final World Tour

After more than 35 years, iconic thrash metal band Slayeris reportedly planning its retirement.

Slayer announced its final world tour Monday morning in a video uploaded to itsYouTube channel teasing dates coming soon.

"The end of days is near," reads text at the beginning of the video, as promotional posters spanning the band's impressive 36-plus-year career flash across the screen. "Slayer to make its exit with one final world tour."

While Slayer's devoted fan base will certainly be disappointed at the news, not many in the heavy metal world are truly surprised.

After co-founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman died of liver failure in 2013, many began to feel Slayer's days were numbered. The band's shows in the ensuing four years (with formerExodus guitaristGary Holt in Hanneman's place) have often felt like tributes to Hanneman, who wrote some of extreme metal's most genre-defining songs with Slayer.

Slayer bassist and frontmanTom Araya has hinted often since Hanneman's death that he's been considering retirement, citing health issues of his own—including spinal problems—and his desire to spend more time with his family.

Araya told Loudwirein 2016, "At 35 years, it's time to collect my pension. (Laughs) This is a career move."

Guitarist Kerry Kinghas said that he's interested in projects beyond Slayer that he hasn't been able to pursue because of the band.

The band's most recent studio album was 2015's Repentless. It's not clear if Slayer is planning another studio album for the final tour.

Slayer has revealed that Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Behemoth, and Testament will be the support acts on tour. No dates have been announced yet but when they do, you can find the dateshere.

Photo: Getty Images

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